What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a deadly viral fever and one needs to protect oneself from it. It is highly contagious and can cause death. It originated from China and has spread globally.

Coronavirus, which is officially referred to as – Covid-19 has originated in China and has killed several people across the globe and many are infected. The virus has spread widely to all several corners of the world including India. Viral fever can be quite distressful. One needs to protect oneself from it.

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses happen to be a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they can be transmitted from animals to humans. The spikes protruding from the virus’s membrane do look like the sun’s corona. It is from this that the virus gets the name ‘coronavirus’. It causes illnesses of the respiratory tract, which range from the common cold to severe conditions such as SARS. The viral fever must be treated properly.

What is the difference between Coronavirus and COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, which originated from China’s Wuhan. In February, the World Health Organisation (WHO) named the novel coronavirus “COVID-19”. “Co” stands for “corona”, “vi” for “virus” and “d” for “disease”, while “19” was for the year, as the outbreak was first identified on December 31.

Based on WHO reports it is known that “there are different procedures, and purposes, for naming viruses and diseases.”

“Viruses are named based on their genetic structure to facilitate the development of diagnostic tests, vaccines, and medicines.”

Viruses are named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

This particular virus was given the name “severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2” – or SARS-CoV-2.
The WHO says that “from a risk communications perspective, using the name SARS can have unintended consequences in terms of creating unnecessary fear for some populations, especially in Asia which was worst affected by the SARS outbreak in 2003”.

Hence, the name ‘Covid-19 virus” was given. It is better to protect oneself from viral fever.

Symptoms of coronavirus

Coronavirus can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Some of the symptoms are
— A general feeling of being unwell
— Runny nose
— Sore throat
— Headache
— Cough
— Fever

Who is more likely to be a victim coronavirus?

People with a weakened immune system, cardiopulmonary disease, infants, and older adults are more likely to be affected by a coronavirus.

In case a person is facing lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, it is important to seek professional health care immediately.

How do you catch coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are zoonotic. This does mean that they are passed on between animals as well as people. When Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) sickened thousands of people around the world and in fact killed nearly 800 during a 2003 outbreak, investigations were found that it was transmitted from civet cats to humans. MERS-CoV was transmitted from camels to humans. There are several known coronaviruses that are rather circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. On January 7, the Chinese authorities identified coronavirus (2019-nCoV) as the causative virus behind cases of pneumonia of unknown cause. This coronavirus has not been earlier identified in humans, hence experts do say it is too early to figure out the exact cause of the infection.

Will the coronavirus spread through cough or sex?

Coronavirus is highly contagious. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects as well as surfaces around the person. Other people then catch the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also become victims of viruses even if they breathe in droplets from a person infected who coughs out or exhales droplets.

How dangerous is coronavirus? Does coronavirus cause death?

A few coronaviruses are quite deadly.

How is coronavirus diagnosed?

Doctors may recommend the patient to undergo tests on respiratory specimens and serum to detect coronaviruses.

Is there a vaccine for coronavirus?

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus, and no vaccine to prevent it.

How contagious is coronavirus?

Will the coronavirus spread through cough or sex?

Coronavirus is highly contagious. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or even the mouth which does spread when a person coughs or exhales. These droplets tend to land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also fall victim to viruses even if they do breathe in droplets from a person infected who coughs out or exhales droplets.

How is coronavirus diagnosed?

Doctors may recommend the patient to undergo tests on respiratory specimens and serum to detect coronaviruses. If anyone experiences the symptoms, they must inform their doctor about recent travel or contact with animals.

Is there a vaccine for coronavirus?

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus, and no vaccine to prevent it.